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• New Zealand-trained astrophysicist receives top honour in Malaysia

  She was awarded the prestigious Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia, by Sultan Abdullah at his annual Honours ceremony. It carries the title of Tan Sri, one of the highest federal titles, and is only held concurrently by 250 living recipients. 

  Dr Othman studied physics at the University of Otago in the 1970s and returned for post-graduate study in the 1980s, becoming the first woman to graduate from the university with a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics. She then went on to forge a remarkable career in the male-dominated space industry.  

  Colombo Plan Scholar 

  Dr Othman came to New Zealand on a Colombo Plan scholarship. The Plan, a forerunner to our modern development assistance programmes, aimed to promote economic and social development in Asia through education and training.  

  Having fallen in love with physics as a teenager in the 1960s, Dr Othman didn’t discover astronomy or astrophysics until she arrived in Dunedin to study for her PhD in 1974.   

  “There were very few books available at that time and there was not much interest here in Malaysia, but it was very different in New Zealand,” she says. “Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon in 1969 was a very significant event, but I didn’t think at that time that I would have space as a career. Not in a million years.” 

  Studying in New Zealand opened a world of opportunity for the young, Muslim scholar. Not only did she make a career in the space industry, but she became a leading authority, being appointed the Director of the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs in 1999, and the founding director of Malaysia’s National Space Agency in 2002. 

  She acknowledges it has been challenging at times. “It’s been a hard road because I’ve had to start everything from scratch. There was no set path to get to where I am today.” 

  Working to promote science and technology 

  She says her role at the UN was less about science, and more about diplomacy and politics. “How to balance one country’s requirements against another’s. Bringing people to the table together, even if they don’t agree, to try and agree on how to proceed. The other aspect of the job was to see how we could use space to enhance the development of developing countries, especially in science and technology.” 

  It is mostly her work at home for which she has been recognised by the King. As Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, Dr Othman was instrumental in introducing astronomy and space sciences into school and university curricula, advised the Government on space matters, was the driving force behind the National Planetarium in Kuala Lumpur, initiated the country’s National Microsatellite Programme, and headed Mega Science 3.0, the ambitious project to transform Malaysia into leading global player in science and innovation by 2050. 

  Justice and fairness in New Zealand education  

  But it all started as an international student in New Zealand, a time Dr Othman remembers as being both liberating and rewarding. “I particularly loved the egalitarian environment of the university, and that reflected wider New Zealand society.”  

  “There will always be a role for New Zealand in supporting education internationally through its cultural perspective on science,” she says. “There is no hierarchy in New Zealand science – professors treat their students as equals and encourage them to challenge and ask questions. That approach has stayed with me through my career. 

  “New Zealand education also instils a deep sense of justice and fairness.”  – Malaysia alumna and astrophysicist Dr Mazlan Othman. 

• From the CE: Building back New Zealand’s international education experience

  One of the highlights for me was experiencing a warm Southern welcome in Christchurch and Dunedin, in late August. It was useful to hear from a cross-section of key education providers and other education-related organisations about what’s top of mind for them. There was an opportunity to hear about their plans for the year ahead and discuss what’s being planned at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), and how we can best support each other.  

  People expressed cautious optimism about inbound student numbers for 2022, saying they have adequate applications in the pipeline to be comfortable with progress (as much as 50% of pre-pandemic levels for some). They mentioned that the fourth border exception group of international students, Cohort 4, is having a positive impact on student numbers. Many of the recent arrivals had started their studies with New Zealand online in their home countries – a testament to the huge effort made by providers, with support from agents and our international teams, to continue reaching out to students and offering online study options while our borders were closed.  

  The visit ended with a Christchurch City Council and ChristchurchNZ mayoral welcome for around 140 tertiary international students, from across the wider Christchurch region – a memorable evening. 

  Another successful welcome for international students took place in September, hosted by the University of Auckland. Both Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins spoke at the event, in a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to international students and international education.  

  This week I returned from a short visit to London and Barcelona, as part of ENZ’s plans to revisit all our key partner countries now our borders have reopened. The timing coincided with the annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition in Barcelona, which attracted more than 6,300 participants from over 90 countries. EAIE is the largest business-to-business conference and international education event in Europe. It provided a great opportunity to reconnect with key partners and other contacts, and to continue to let them know we are open to welcome students. You can read more about New Zealand’s pavilion at EAIE and the providers who took part in this month’s E-News. 

  In London, I had a series of meetings with key government and education sector contacts, including Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK Government International Education Champion. A range of opportunities were discussed during these meetings, and we will follow up on these with the sector in New Zealand. I also met with journalists to promote a New Zealand education, including Times Higher Education and StudyTravel magazine. The final engagement of the London trip before heading off to Barcelona involved presenting an award at the PIEoneer Awards ceremony. The four awards won by New Zealand organisations that evening are covered later in this issue.  

  Finally, I’d like to thank everyone involved in the Asia Pacific Technical & Vocational Education and Training Forum, which took place from 14-15 September 2022. This online event, which is run in partnership between Te Pūkenga, Skills Consulting Group and ENZ, attracted more than 2,000 delegates from 60 countries, and has resulted in significant positive feedback. 

  In the spirit of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori I’d like to end with a whakataukī that highlights the importance of language: 

  Kia kaha, te reo Māori - Let’s make the Māori language strong! 

  Ngā mihi nui,

  Grant McPherson 

• Rugby and English language-the competitive edge for Brazilian athletes

  Canterbury welcomed three male Brazilian rugby players in March this year for a five month period as part of a pilot Game On English programme. This is a partnership between English New Zealand and Education New Zealand (ENZ), provided by Christchurch College of English Limited (CCEL) and the Canterbury Rugby Union, with the support of the Brazilian Rugby Union and Christchurch Educated.” The programme combines daily language classes with high performance rugby training.

  The three students have been enrolled at the Crusaders International High Performance Unit’s Elite Programme and at CCEL College of English. They all have represented their country as part of the U19 Brazilian National Team. The players have immersed themselves in Kiwi culture including staying with local host families arranged by CCEL, and they have travelled around the South Island during their free time. The boys have had the opportunity to be coached by current All Blacks coaching staff including Mike Cron. They have also trained with some of the Canterbury Crusader Academy players!

  “The way people welcomed me here when I first arrived was overwhelming. Everybody here is so friendly, so welcoming, always caring about my wellbeing – my host family, my teachers at CCEL, and in the Crusaders. Everyone is really amazing. This made me feel part of the place. I never felt disconnected or isolated, which made me adapt and fit in really easily.

  “Coming to the rugby nation sounded just perfect to me: studying and improving my English in a full immersion programme, which you can only get in an English speaking country. The opportunity to live in a developed country where it is safe, clean and people are so friendly and polite, stay in the Canterbury region home to some of the top rugby players in New Zealand and in the world is amazing. To get to travel through the South Island of New Zealand, with its beautiful landscape, clear skies, the Southern Alps was wonderful. I can’t think of a better place for this”

  Bruno Araujo 19, who played for Brazil’s national U19 team and currently plays at Jacarei Rugby, Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

  In 2008 the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) established an International High Performance Unit (IHPU). The CRFU has a long and proud history since it was established as the first Union in New Zealand in 1879. In 2012 Canterbury won their fifth consecutive provincial titles – no team has ever won five titles in a row since the launch of the competition in1976. The IHPU’s purpose is to offer select players, coaches, and support staff an opportunity to visit the inner workings of the   organisation in one of the world’s most beautiful and rugby fanatical countries. It includes five alumni players who participated in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.  The Crusaders coaching staff have nurtured and developed many past and current All Blacks including the previous captain Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Dan Carter.

  You never know you might see these Brazilian students representing their country at the next Olympics.

  Click here to find out more. 

• Students experience a New Zealand classroom in Thailand

  Approximately 600 fair visitors, including students and their parents, were given a glimpse into what life is like for New Zealand students.

  The fair was also attended by the New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Ben King, who presided over the opening ceremony and welcomed all the participants.

  A popular exhibit was the New Zealand simulated classroom experience, which showcased New Zealand’s interactive and hands-on learning and teaching methods.

  ENZ Marketing and Strategic Relations Manager – Thailand Chortip Pramoolpol, said the simulated classroom experience drew a great response from fair participants and was fully booked for each of the four sessions on offer.

  “The simulated classroom experience targeted students aged 11 to 18 years old".

  “With Facebook Live in one of the classroom sessions, we were able to reach 43,282 people!"

  “The top five locations for people to engage with the Facebook Live stream were Bangkok, Auckland, Wellington, Metro Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.

  “We also launched a new registration and lead management system at the fair, which will enable us and education institutions to continue to engage with potential international students,” Chortip said.

• ENZ hosts first agent-led fairs in Viet Nam

  The fairs, held in in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, attracted more than 500 prospective students and parents and featured 35 New Zealand providers.

  Tam Le, ENZ’s Marketing & Strategic Relations Manager for Viet Nam, said the new agent-led fairs were part of ENZ’s wider efforts to work in close collaboration with one of our top education agents in Viet Nam during key recruitment seasons.

   “Agent-led events such as these play a key role in raising the awareness of New Zealand education in during September/October, one of Viet Nam’s key recruitment seasons for international education.

   “We are very happy with the quality of students who visited the fairs as well as their genuine enquiries about New Zealand and its education system.”

   The fairs were a great opportunity for New Zealand education providers to showcase their internationally-recognised qualifications and to highlight the strong education links between Viet Nam and New Zealand, said Tam.

   “It’s fantastic to see New Zealand emerging as a popular education destination for international students from Viet Nam.

   “There has been a 62 percent increase in the number of Vietnamese students choosing to study in New Zealand in the first eight months of 2017, compared to the same period last year.”

  A growing number of students are also choosing to study at New Zealand’s universities, with an 88 percent increase in the number of Vietnamese students in the first eight months of this year compared to 2016.

• Otago Chemistry lecturer attracts a crowd at Kuching fair

  Jane Goh, ENZ’s Marketing and Strategic Relations Manager, Malaysia, said that around 150 students, parents and teachers in Kuching met with representatives from higher learning institutions, high schools and polytechnics from New Zealand at the fair.

  These included Riccarton High School, UC International College (UCIC), University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, The Ara Institute of Canterbury, University of Otago, The University of Auckland, University of Waikato, New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) and Academic Colleges Group (ACG).

  During the fair, Dr David Warren from the University of Otago gave a lecture on the relevance of chemistry today to teach students how best to study and excel in the subject.

  

  Dr David Warren delivers a lecture on ‘Chemistry and its relevance in today’s life’ during the New Zealand Education Fair 2016 held at Kuching Hilton Hotel.

  After the lecture, all participants were given a chemistry quiz contest. Rebecca Chen from Lodge International School won the main prize.

  

  Rebecca Chen from Lodge International School – the top winner of Chemistry Lecture and Quiz.

• International students awarded for ICT excellence

  Ruslan Levenets, who originally studied law in Russia, came to study in New Zealand in preparation of a career change. 

  “I had some practical skills and interest in IT, but my main motivation for study was to have a strong theoretical background,” said Levenets.

  Ruslan was awarded most outstanding student for the Graduate Diploma in Information Assurance and Security. The award was sponsored by ISACA, an international professional association for IT governance.

  Mike Binkhorst, president of the Wellington chapter of ISACA, believes supporting top students is an important part of building the future of their industry. 

  “We're keen to encourage people into the profession to make a difference in the field. ISACA promotes frameworks and standards in IT to improve governance and security. Education and supporting the next generation is a big part of that,” said Binkhorst.

  

  Alexander Sokolov with Alisdair McKenzie

  Also achieving excellence in IT was Alexander Sokolov who was awarded most outstanding student for the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology. He received his award from Alisdair McKenzie, a member of WelTec’s IT Industry Partnership Committee. 

  “WelTec’s Industry Partnership Committee offers guest lectures, takes interns and reviews WelTec's IT programmes – all so that they deliver what the industry is needing,” said McKenzie. 

  “We work to ensure that the tertiary education sector is harmonised with business and industry requirements.”

  Ian Hunter from WelTec’s School of Business & IT said the involvement of industry associations makes a significant difference to the way WelTec students are taught. 

  “Our students are working on real scenarios and real problems as part of their academic programme,” said Hunter.

• ACG expands its New Zealand vocational group

  ACG Group Chief Executive, John Williamson, said that acquisitions are part of ACG’s plan to broaden its portfolio of high-quality educational services.

  “With ongoing demand for recognised, quality educational qualifications, we are well positioned to grow, either through developing new offerings ourselves or acquiring providers whose philosophies and standards match ours,” said Williamson.

  ACG’s vocational diplomas, degrees and courses are offered in a range of creative industries such as IT, tourism and hospitality, trades and services, health, and early childhood. The acquisitions will now see ACG delivering education to over 12,000 students through its 35 campuses across three countries.

  ACG’s other institutions include Yoobee School of Design, New Zealand Management Academies, New Zealand School of Tourism and New Zealand Career College.

  Animation College is New Zealand's leading character animation college, delivering both traditional and 3D animation courses. AMES is one of New Zealand’s top IT education providers, while South Seas Film & Television School is a leading film, television, screen acting, animation and photography training institution.

• Letter from the Acting CE: the power of being good hosts

  Sophie Iwakiri, a Japanese student in Katikati, arrived in New Zealand with limited English skills and low confidence. With the support and encouragement of her host family and her teachers at Katikati College, Sophie graduated in the top five percent of her class.

  “The teachers are so great here, they build relationships with you, they motivate you,” she said. 

  “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I feel like I have everything I need here. My host Mum and my host Dad support me completely.”

  Sophie’s story reflects the great work happening in schools and tertiary institutions around New Zealand. We all want to ensure Sophie’s experience is the case for every student. Government agencies have come together in this mission, and the work is gaining momentum.

  Welcoming students is really putting into practice Manaakitanga – the Māori value of hospitality, kindness, support, respect and care for others. At the end of the day, people are what make or break a student’s experience studying in our country.

  Every day, international education opens us up to the rest of the world and makes our country a better place. In return for the wonderful social, cultural and economic benefits international students bring us, we have a responsibility to work together to ensure their experience here is positive – that they feel a sense of inclusion, that they find it easy to make friends and have access to a wide range of support services.

  It is a privilege to host students here in New Zealand. In the spirit of Manaakitanga, let’s start off their experience with a warm welcome.   

  

   

  John Goulter

  Acting Chief Executive

   

• Event season in Viet Nam

  Two alumni networking events had more than 200 registrations, as well as the participation of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and New Zealand Aid, who answered queries from students and parents about studying in New Zealand.

  Several seminars were held alongside the fairs to discuss student visas, the New Zealand curriculum and NCEA, and the NZ ASEAN Scholar Awards. The seminars drew significant interest with the rooms full for most of the day.

  Ben Burrowes, ENZ’s Regional Communications & Strategic Relations Manager for South East Asia, said it was fantastic to see so much interest in the seminars.

  “It was clear that the students and parents had already conducted their own research and had come prepared with specific questions on programmes of study and life as a student in New Zealand.”

  The Hanoi agent seminar, held on 17 March, included student visa updates from INZ, followed by education agent training and “speed meetings” between local agents and New Zealand education providers.

  The events were accompanied by a comprehensive public relations programme that resulted in good coverage in Vietnamese media. Some 15 local media members attended a media briefing in Ho Chi Minh City, seizing the opportunity to interview two Vietnamese alumni and Ben.

  The ENZ team also conducted an online chat with vnexpress.net, a top online news website in Viet Nam with over one million views per month. During the two-hour live chat session, questions were put to panel members Ben, Chris Klaassen (Chair of SIEBA), Giang Nguyen (University of Waikato’s SEA Regional Manager), and Lucy Nguyen (SIT’s International Marketing Officer for Vietnam). They answered nearly 60 questions ranging from New Zealand’s quality of education, the transferability of qualifications, the high school system and NCEA. After the live chat, the answers remained on the news site and were syndicated by many other online sources.

  Ben said the number of questions put to the panel was a positive sign.

  “A number of questions asked for comparisons between New Zealand and some of our stronger competitors – a further testament to the growing market awareness of New Zealand,” he said.

  Air New Zealand was among the events’ partners, providing two sets of return tickets to New Zealand at the fairs. 

  

  Ben Burrowes (second from left), Tam Le (second from right) with Vietnamese alumni

  

  Speed meetings at the Hanoi Agent Seminar